New Zealand to hold referendum on whether to get rid of Union Jack from national flag

NEW Zealanders could ditch the Union Jack as the country announced plans to vote on a new flag.

Some New Zealanders want the Union Jack dropped from the flag [GETTY ]

The flag remains dominated by the Union Jack in a way that we ourselves are no longer dominated by the United Kingdom

John Key

Prime Minister John Key said the current emblem – the Southern Cross star constellation with the British flag in the top left corner – was outdated.

In a speech he said it was too similar to Australia’s flag and no longer represents modern New Zealand.

“The flag remains dominated by the Union Jack in a way that we ourselves are no longer dominated by the United Kingdom," Mr Key added.

A referendum on a new flag will take place within three years.

Mr Key’s political opponents said they would follow through with those plans even if they oust Mr Key in this year’s national elections.

The Prime Minister said that Canada's 1965 decision to embrace a distinctive maple leaf design was a good example of change within the Commonwealth.

He added he could not imagine Canadians now wanting to go back to their old Union Jack flag.

"We should be represented by a flag that is distinctly New Zealand's," said Key, adding it would not signify an end to the South Pacific nation's constitutional ties to the British monarchy or participation in the Commonwealth group of countries.

Many who have served in the military oppose a change [GETTY]

There is plenty of debate about what should be the replacement if the electorate vote to ditch the Union Jack.

Key said he favours a silver fern set against a black background, an image that is popular among sports teams.

Some say that would equate the country too much with its sporting heroes and would be too reminiscent of a pirate ensign.

Some argue the country's indigenous Maori should be represented in any new flag.

Don McIver, president of the Returned and Services Association (RSA), said he is proud of a flag that represents more than 100 years of tradition.

"The view of the RSA is there is no need to change the flag," he said. "Thirty-two thousand New Zealanders have given their lives under the flag and many more thousands have served under it in a combat environment."

The Republican Movement of New Zealand, which advocates an end to recognizing the British monarch as New Zealand's head of state, remains indifferent.

"We realise there is momentum to change the flag, and we are not against it," said the movement's chairman, who goes by the single name Savage.

"But the substance is changing the head of state. It's symbolic only to change the flag."

Yet for many, a new flag would represent another small step by New Zealand toward disentangling itself from its British past.

In 2004, for instance, the country established a Supreme Court to replace Britain's Privy Council as the final court of appeal.